His Tibbie may be able to take on an Eclipse GST if both cars do a street start in which case that V6 has the advantage because of the turbo lag on the GST. But, most DSM drivers I know keep the rpms up where the turbo boost is right there on tap (if they know they're going to race). Of course, it also depends on the better driver.

The Hyundai dealer folks were more than happy to let me drive every one of their 06 model lines (including the Tibbie) while I was in the process of buying our 06 Sonata V6. The Tibbie has some pull. But, it can't even match the pull of the 06 Sonata V6. That's why I have my doubts about a stock Tibbie GT beating an Eclipse GST. I rather have the Sonata take on the GST even though it's an automatic.

 

i think that the sonata is too heavy to compete with the GST or tibby. do you have any track numbers for it?

 

ooh, I agree with that statement, the new Sonata will **** and get but I don't think it has enough.

 

i figured that the size would slow it down a bit..no?

 

Here:
Car and Driver 2nd Review

 

Here's some 0-60 and 1/4 times:
Factory Stock

 

It's a family sedan, first and foremost. It's not the kind of car I'd take to a closed course or something. But going from one stoplight to the next, it's more than fast enough when compared to the Tibbie and GST. And that's using the automatic. I doubt anyone has ever tested the automanual and to see how far the Sonata's VVT will go. I'd have a hard time pitting a 06 Sonata against a GST. But some things I know about DSM turbos, the shifter is clunky and always have been. If you don't get it just right, the gears are going to grind. Plus, the torque steer on the front drivers are atrocious. The 06 Sonata hardly had any torque steer at all, even when abusing it at high rpms using automanual. If it had a manual tranny, I'd pick the 06 Sonata, hands down over a GST.

 

I still tend to disagree with that statement. I have driven the GST and anyone who can drive well, can make that car haul ***.

 

Well, that's a given. The Eclipse GST has an excellent power to weight ratio. The curb weight of a GST is very close to 2900lbs. The manual tranny's have 205hp (the autos have 210hp) a quick division would give a rough idea of its power to weight ratio which is 1/14.1 The smaller lower number, the better. A V6 Tibbie has a curb weight of 3010lbs. Let's say it's the newest with 186hp. The power to weight ratio would be 1/16.2. An older Tibbie with 172hp has a power to weight ratio of 1/17.5. The 06 Hyundai Sonata has a curb weight of 3458lbs with 235hp and a power to weight ratio of 1/14.7 plus a newer engine.

Both Hyundais would be hard pressed against a GST. But, the odds are much better with the 06 Sonata. Even more so, if the driver's willing to tolerate a bit more abuse with the automanual mode.

 

You should go PINKS. That T.V. show on speed.. That would be pretty cool..